A football committee will be formed, however, to look into the future of football within the region.

Chairman Monica Gati said the committee will consist of Board of Education members Chuck Cosgriff, Jr., and Steve Sordi, Nonnewaug High School Athletic Director Dan Scavone, John Oko, coach of the football team; Director of Finance and Operations Jay Hubelbank and three parents.

Ms. Gati said an entire list of committee members will be available at the next meeting.

Laura Lewis of Washington expressed confusion over the situation.

"As of today, we still had hopes that Region 12 agreed, and it was something on this end," said Ms. Lewis. "It's just not clear to me on how to go home and tell my son why this didn't materialize."

Region 14 Superintendent Robert Cronin, Ph.D., said the football co-op process began in February. He said Region 12 Athletic Director Matt Perachi and Eugene Horrigan, now retired as principal of Shepaug High School, did not want to participate in a co-op. Region 12 Superintendent Bruce Storm, Ph.D., was more open, said Dr. Cronin.

Every time Region 12 sent back a memo of understanding to the Region 14 board, it came back revised, Dr. Cronin said.

Board members felt that the Region 12 football players would need to be covered by Region 12's insurance and the two regions should meet for an assessment of the co-op and to review the costs assumed by both regions at the end of the 2009-10 season.

The parents of student athletes in Region 12 established an escrow fund for the insurance costs.

Dr. Cronin said who paid the insurance did not matter, as long as the Region 12 athletes' insurance fell under the jurisdiction of Region 12.

"We needed Region 12 to be the responsible party for the insurance, and that seems to be the issue that couldn't be resolved," said Mrs. Gati.

Dr. Cronin said Region 14 really wanted to form a co-op with Region 12 and did not want to disappoint the students. He said Region 14 needed to enter into a co-op with the school district, not with the district parents, even given how proactive the parents were.

Bridgewater resident Kathy Foote wondered if there was any chance of the co-op's formation.

Dr. Cronin said there were certain Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference deadlines to meet, which Region 14 did without a commitment from Region 12.

"We contacted them [the CIAC] last week and withdrew the [co-op] application," said Dr. Cronin.

In other news, Dr. Cronin expressed concern over the H1N1 virus continuing to be a serious issue. He said he attended a meeting with the Pomperaug District Department of Health and the Torrington Area Health District.

A letter will be sent to all district households, detailing symptoms of the H1N1 virus and the seasonal flu, said Dr. Cronin. He stressed that teachers and parents need to be conscious of when it is appropriate to stay home rather than go to school.

During privilege of the floor, Woodbury resident Duncan McDougall said he wants to hear a summary of anything new taking place in the district, with reference to the students.

He said the district should tap the curriculum resources of other schools, rather than have district teachers writing curriculum.

"Let's let the teachers teach," said Mr. McDougall.

He said he feels the students at the top of their classes are getting short-changed and the district ought to partner with local colleges.

If the district allowed students to attend programs at local colleges during the school day, that would reduce the class size and allow teachers more time for students who need more help, said Mr. McDougall.

The September board meetings have been changed. The new dates are 7 p.m. Mondays, September 8 and 22, at Nonnewaug High School, 5 Minortown Rd., Woodbury.